Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
At Chandler’s request, I wrote him an email to smooth things over, promising to take care of things, asking him not to speak on the record until we’d looked into the matter and handled it. All innocuous language to calm him down. Then I discovered the reporter’s accusations were legitimate. Chandler had pushed through Victor Hale’s contract in exchange for the campaign donation, and I found the information in a file I wasn’t meant to see. Information which implicated the senator.
I printed the contents of the file and hid them in a safe deposit box at the bank. Then, I broke up with Chandler, informing him I was going to report the information I had to the authorities. That’s when he produced my emails, highlighted with the wording that made it look like I was handling the cover-up. Wording Chandler had given to me to use. He threatened to hand them over to the reporter, the Federal Election Commission, and the Department of Justice.
The revelation would cost me everything. Most importantly, if Chandler found a way to blame me entirely for the cover-up, I could be facing jail time. Right now, we’re at a stalemate. I’m holding on to the information to protect myself and he’s doing the same. Until I can figure a way out of the situation, I’m stuck. I don’t think the authorities would believe me over Chandler. I know he’d find a way to explain away what he’s been doing. And he’s scared me into believing I’d end up in more trouble than him. I’m too frightened to take the risk.
I feel guilty knowing Chandler doesn’t deserve to win the election again while he has no problem dirty dealing. I’m also afraid of the consequences should our deal fall apart.
I rub my stomach and sigh. Instead of thinking about Chandler, I should be thinking about Jack. The father of my baby. The man who thought he had a one-night stand, never to see me again, and is now going to be tied to me for life.
Before I can sort things through more, my phone rings. I reach for it on my nightstand where I left it, see my mom is calling, and answer the phone. “Hi, Mom!”
“Hi, honey. I’m just calling to tell you that we’re having dinner at Max and Margo’s, the steakhouse downtown. Your father insists we go out so I don’t have to cook dinner tonight.” I’d almost forgotten I had dinner plans tonight with my family, and Chandler had invited himself to join us. Ugh.
“Sounds great. What time?” I ask.
“Seven. Is that good for you?” I’d rather be sleeping, but I have no doubt Chandler will have something to say about that.
Then again … I’m allowed to be sick. And I am. Nauseous and exhausted, and sick and tired of jumping through hoops to please a man who’s blackmailing me. Something has to give.
Though I can’t think of how to get myself out of this mess right now, I’m sure something will come to me. Especially if I take time for myself because I can’t keep running on this hamster wheel. There’s so much more at stake now. I’m having a child, and I refuse to keep up this charade any longer than I absolutely have to. The stress of dealing with Chandler isn’t good for me, and it can’t be good for the baby.
First things first. “Mom? I’m actually not feeling well. I’m going to have to pass tonight. Give everyone my regrets. I’ll let Chandler know, okay?”
“Oh, honey. I’m sorry. Feel better and let me know if I can get you anything, okay?”
I smile at her soft words. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
“Okay, bye.”
“Bye.” I disconnect the call.
As I lie thinking, I realize I need to get away. Time alone will be good for me. A spur-of-the-moment leave from work isn’t ideal, but I have solid people who can run things while I’m gone. I’m supposed to introduce Chandler at an event in three weeks, and I’ll have to be back by then to appease him. Speaking of …
I lift the phone to text him.
I’m not going to make dinner tonight. Stomach virus. Step one in taking a break from my current life. I need time to process, to figure out how to fix things here without me ending up in jail.
I consider my next words, then type again. Also, there’s a major donor from out of town who is interested in giving a large sum to The Next Step Foundation. It’s out of town and once I meet with the potential donors, I’m going to stay for a few weeks. I need time to relax and unwind.
I see the dots telling me he’s replying.
Fine about tonight. I don’t want to catch a virus. Then … You need to be home for the annual Performing Arts Festival. As if I could forget.